Is a Tampa or RNP worth it?

[Rocket Boy]

I've been thinking of getting a Tampa, since I've read some pretty positive reviews of it here... but my question is... is it worth it? I really want to get into BAE/OSA type stuff and if I do that am I going to find the Tampa to not be very usable? What I did like about it is the SPDIF output(more tracks) and the compressor. The RNP is also similiar in price, but I'm not sure about that for the same reason.

But if it's just going to be another cheap pre I might just want to skip that mid-level step. Right now I'm using a VTB1 and an Audio Buddy and am sort of eager to get into something better. That being said, I don't want to throw my money away on something that isnt really much better when I could be that much closer to something alot nicer... Also... is the BAE/OSA route a good one for pre's?

I know this is very subjective, and it doesnt mean a thing if my room sounds bad and ect ect. I just want your opinions so I don't throw my money away

 

[jkokura]

Tampa's a great pre, and so is the RNP, but they're both very different animals...remember that the price tag per channel on the RNP is less than the Tampa. You're getting a lot of features in the Tampa - compressor, digital outs... But the RNP can balance an RNC and is great, clean gain.

I'd get both if I could, but for you it depends on your needs - do you need 2 channels? Do you have an RNC already?

Jacob

 

[chris-from-ky]

So you have at least $500 to spend or you wouldn't be considering the RNP. So, I suggest you go ahead and buy the 500 series rack and power supply. Then, save up another $500 - $1000 for whatever preamps you want to load into it. The 500 series format is getting more popular with several manufacturers putting out products for it like A-designs, buzz audio, purple audio, etc. I'd say if you can live a little bit longer with the VTB1, then you'd be better off to skip the middle step.

 

[Rocket Boy]

Alright! That's what I'll do.

 

[daav]

So you have at least $500 to spend or you wouldn't be considering the RNP. So, I suggest you go ahead and buy the 500 series rack and power supply. Then, save up another $500 - $1000 for whatever preamps you want to load into it. The 500 series format is getting more popular with several manufacturers putting out products for it like A-designs, buzz audio, purple audio, etc. I'd say if you can live a little bit longer with the VTB1, then you'd be better off to skip the middle step.

Can you go into that a bit more, this is the "lunch box" setup? Who makes the 500 series?

Thanks,
Daav

 

[Rocket Boy]

500 series seems to be a form factor that several different manufactures are making cards for. Which will go into a lunch box or rack thing.

Hey, another question(probably a dumb one). How would you suggest hooking up compressors to something like that during recording? I've seen pictures where they even have the compressors and eq's in the box next to the pre's but no explanation or pictures to show how to hook them up to work together? Also, how would I hook it up to something that wasn't in the box like an RNC.